Uninvited Intrusion

Maya knows something is up with Dante. He's been acting weird lately—showing up unannounced to his practices like it’s no big deal. They go to different schools, so Maya doesn’t really know how he even has the time to make the trip. It’s not like Dante lives around the corner. But regardless of how he’s managing it, one thing is certain: it’s starting to seem weird.

And Taiga’s starting to ask questions.

It’s not just casual visits anymore. The way Dante keeps showing up, lingering around the gym, watching him, watching them—it’s starting to feel intentional. Like maybe, just maybe, Dante isn’t here for basketball.

It’s starting to feel like Dante is coming to see him.

And Maya needs to put an end to that before Dante ruins his investigation. Because Taiga isn’t stupid—he’s sharp, emotionally observant, and slowly getting suspicious. The last thing Maya needs is for everything to fall apart before he can figure things out.

It’s Wednesday. The sky is overcast, clouds hanging low but not threatening rain. Cool weather, perfect for a light practice. The gym smells like wood polish and sweat, sneakers squeaking across the polished floor. Maya and his teammates are running light drills to warm up for a practice match.

The captain of the Shounen team, Hatake Rin, is calling out drills with clipped authority. He’s an elite Prime Omega, tall and lean, and probably the best three-point shooter in their league. No one argues with him. Rin’s the kind of guy who doesn’t raise his voice unless he absolutely needs to—but when he does, it echoes.

Maya isn’t spared from the brutal warm-up, even though he’s more of a playmaker on the court. His game is built on precision passes, quick reads, and controlling the rhythm. Still, he runs the sprints, makes the cuts, fights for space just like everyone else. He’s mid-drill when the gym door creaks open.

Dante walks in like he owns the place.

And honestly? With how many businesses his father owns, he might. But Maya doubts that even Dante has that kind of pull—not here.

Still, he hates how everyone glances up when Dante enters. Like the air shifts just a little. Like they know something is different about him. And maybe they do.

"You’ve been coming around an awful lot lately," Maya says as Dante approaches. He doesn’t stop his dribble but slows down just enough to make eye contact. "Let me guess—scouting the competition?"

He flicks the ball back toward one of the juniors running a rebound drill.

"And before you say anything, it’s getting kind of weird," Maya adds bluntly. "Coach already thinks you’re spying on our formation for Tanken."

Dante doesn’t flinch. That same smug smirk stretches across his face, the one that makes Maya want to throw something. Or kiss him. Depends on the day.

"Relax, love. It’s really not that deep," Dante says, voice low and laced with amusement. "Besides, I came to see you."

He leans in just enough to make the words private. "I need to ask you some questions."

Maya raises a brow, wiping sweat from his temple with the edge of his shirt. "Questions?"

Dante’s tone shifts. "It’s about Taiga."

That pulls Maya up short.

Suddenly, he’s all ears. His breath picks up just slightly, and he tries not to show how the mention of Taiga immediately sends his thoughts spiraling. But Dante sees it—of course he does. He always could read him too easily.

"What about him?" Maya asks, trying to keep his voice flat.

"You feel it too, don’t you?" Dante’s gaze is steady. "No need for the act. You deserve the truth, Maya. I wouldn’t blame you for trying to figure it out on your own—but you’re not the only one noticing things."

Maya’s body stiffens. His fingers twitch slightly, but he doesn’t speak. Doesn’t have to. Dante reads it all in his silence.

But before the conversation can go further, another voice cuts in from the far end of the court.

"You seem to be coming over a lot these days. Why? Is your school that shitty you have to come here every day?"

The interruption slices through the gym like a blade.

Maya and Dante both turn.

Taiga is standing by the edge of the court, arms crossed, expression neutral—but his eyes are sharp. He’s not smiling. He’s not joking. His tone is biting.

Dante recovers first, flashing a grin like nothing’s wrong.

Maya’s heart skips.

"Taiga," Maya says, his voice quiet, caught somewhere between shock and frustration.

"It’s fine, babe," he adds quickly, stepping forward. "He was just leaving."

He throws the line out casually, but there’s an edge to it. A suggestion. A warning.

Dante catches it—but he’s never been one to take hints lying down.

"No need to get worked up, Taiga," he says, flashing his teeth in something between a smile and a challenge. "I was just talking to my ex."

He winks at Maya.

Maya’s face tightens. Taiga’s jaw clenches.

Dante takes a slow step backwards, then heads out the door, knowing damn well he just starred a fight between the two lovers.

Taiga was worried.

After the incident at the court, there was no longer room for denial—something was definitely going on. He didn’t have solid proof, not yet, but he could feel it in his gut. The way Dante showed up to every single practice without fail—it wasn’t normal. It wasn’t casual. And what made it worse, what made his blood simmer with frustration, was that Maya allowed it.

He let him stay. He let him linger.

Taiga clenched his jaw, pacing back and forth in the confines of his room, tension coiled tight in his chest. He needed to let it out, to talk to someone who wouldn’t tell him to calm down or that he was being paranoid. Someone who understood what it was like to hide your truth and still feel everything so deeply.

So he called his brother.

Tatsuya wasn’t his biological brother, but the bond between them was closer than blood. Another Luna, just like him—another one who had to hide his scent to stay away from the government’s grip. That shared secret had bound them together since middle school.

Taiga still remembered the day it happened. He’d caught Tatsuya changing in an empty classroom, thinking no one was around. Tatsuya had let his guard down, just for a moment. But it was enough. Taiga had walked in, seen what he wasn’t supposed to see, and everything had changed.

He hadn’t outed him. He never would. Instead, he told Tatsuya his secret too. They were the same. And from that moment on, they were brothers in every way that counted.

The phone rang only twice before Tatsuya picked up.

“Hey, my love,” came his familiar voice—warm, grounding, always patient.

Taiga didn’t even say hello. “It’s like he doesn’t even care about my feelings. I was literally standing right there, watching them talk.”

His voice cracked with emotion, something raw slipping through. He hated that it hurt this much. Maya hadn’t cheated. He hadn’t done anything...yet. But it didn’t change how it felt.

“Taiga…” Tatsuya’s tone softened. “I think you should talk to Maya about how you’re feeling. Maybe you’re reading too much into it.”

Taiga growled in frustration. “Tatsuya, have you seen the way he fidgets when that jerk talks to him? The change in his scent, his body language? You haven’t seen it, brother. If you had, you’d be just as livid as I am right now.”

His voice was rising with each word. He couldn’t help it. None of it made sense to him. He knew Maya still had feelings for Dante—he wasn’t stupid—but then why break up with someone you still loved? Why move on to someone else? Why come to him?

Why make him feel wanted, needed—and then act like your ex still owns your heart?

“What’s so good about that asshole?” Taiga snapped, his chest heaving. “I mean, yeah, I get it. He’s an Elite Prime Enigma. That comes with perks. It’s addicting, maybe even impossible to get over. But he has me now. So what’s the damn problem?”

His fists were clenched so tightly now, he could feel his nails digging into his palms. He needed to break something—anything.

“What did he even see in that jerk?” he shouted into the phone. “That makes him go all soft and sappy? He tries to act like he doesn’t like him, and I appreciate the respect—I do—but it still fucking sucks, you know? Knowing your boyfriend is still in love with his ex.”

There was silence on the other end of the line.

Tatsuya didn’t say anything. What could he say? He hadn’t even met Maya yet. He only knew what Taiga told him. But still, he understood. He felt the depth of Taiga’s confusion and heartbreak.

Taiga let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Like seriously, what is it? Is it the dick? Good sex? I can give that too, you know.”

He flopped down onto his bed with a sigh, pressing the phone harder against his ear as if that would bring Tatsuya closer.

“You’re a high-quality Luna, Taiga,” Tatsuya said at last, voice firm and steady. “Anyone would be stupid to let you go. And honestly? I feel like something’s going on too. But Maya isn’t cheating on you. I don’t think he’s even entertaining the idea.”

Taiga closed his eyes.

“I want to know what’s so special about him,” he muttered, softer now, the anger ebbing just enough to let the ache through. “Why can’t Maya just tell him to fuck off?”

He sighed again, longer this time. “I didn’t care before. I thought I could deal. But now I’m curious. And I need to separate them.”

Tatsuya paused before replying, “Taiga…”

“I need to, Tatsuya,” Taiga cut him off, voice quiet but unwavering. “I need to know if I’m just a replacement. Or if he really chose me.”

The line went quiet again. But this time, it wasn’t awkward.

It was filled with something heavier. Understanding.

They both knew what it was like to live in the shadows, to love with half a heart because the other half was terrified of being seen.

And Taiga—Taiga wasn’t going to be invisible anymore.